The National Security Coordinator, COP Osman Abdul Razak, has warned that some political vigilante groups in Ghana are now operating covertly on social media and encrypted chat platforms.

He noted that some groups that once operated in the open are now disguising their identity, signaling a shift in how political vigilantism is organized.

“We are very much aware that some groups are rebranding as internal security teams, volunteer task forces or community security initiatives,” COP Abdul Razak said on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

“Again, mobilisation has moved online on social media, encrypted chats, local disputes, private security arrangements or other informal channels,” he added.

He made the revelation at a national policy dialogue on the implementation of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), organised by Election Watch Ghana at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra.

He further added, “We must not mistake reduced visibility of these groups as complete eradication. A vigilante group is a vigilante group regardless of its name, uniform or publicity”.

Political vigilantism has long been a feature of Ghana's Fourth Republic, with groups such as Delta Force, Invincible Forces, Kandahar Boys and Bolga Bulldogs linked to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Azorka Boys, Hawks and Aluta Boys linked to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) often cited.

Their activities, which range from election-related violence to the forcible takeover of state offices, led to the passage of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999) banning the formation and operation of such groups.

The National Security Coordinator said his outfit is monitoring the new trends closely and will take decisive action against any group found to be engaging in vigilantism under a different name.